B00830:42
A brief treatise, concerning the use and abuse of dancing. Collected out of the…A briefe treatise, concerning the vse and abuse of dauncing. Collected oute of the…
A brief treatise, concerning the use and abuse of dancing. Collected out of the learned works of the most excellent dean doctor, Peter Martyr, by paister Rob Massonius: and translated into English by I.K.A briefe treatise, concerning the vse and abuse of dauncing. Collected oute of the learned workes of the most excellent deaine doctour, Peter Martyr, by paister Rob Massonius: and translated into English by I.K.
London: printed by John Jugge, 1580London: printed by Iohn Iugge, 1580
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
This kind of exercise seemeth to me of it own nature neither vicious nor to be prohibited, forasmuch as agility and nimbleness of the body, is the gift of God: and if there be added some art, that the body be moved with decency, just pace, & comeliness, I see not why it ought to be reprehended, so it be done in due season, moderately and without offence. For as it is lawful to singe, & use singing to give thanks to god, & celebrate his praises: ⟨image 24⟩So likewise moderate dancing to testify our joy and gladness.1 David doubtless danced openly before the Ark.
This kinde of exercise séemeth to me of it owne nature neither vitiouse nor to be prohibited, for asmuche as agillitye and nimblenesse of the boddye, is the gifte of God: and if there be added some arte, that the boddye be mooued with decencye, iust pace, & comlines, I see not why it ought to be reprehended, so it be done in due season, moderatly and without offence. For as it is lawfull to singe, & vse singinge to giue thanks to god, & celebrat his praises: ⟨image 24⟩So likewise moderate dauncing to testify our ioy and gladnesse.1 Dauid doubtlesse daunced openly before the Arke.
- 12. Sā. 6.142. Sā. 6.14
1The maidens renowned his victory over Goliath with dancing and singing. Miriam Moses sister,2 when Pharaoh was laid a long and slain, danced with other women, and sang a song of triumph and victory. Wherefore sith holy men and chaste women have used dances, we can not say they are faulty of their own nature: but as they are now a days done, that men should dance together with women, they be untollerable: For that they are the nutriments and provocations of lasciviousness and voluptuous pleasures. Miriam Moses sister traced not with young men, but apart with women: neither David with women, nor the maidens who honoured his conquest, with young men but by them selves. Now they that with all their mind and might love God, it is not enough for them to observe his commandments, unless they cut of also all occasions, whereby their observations may be impaired. But our dances are most evident occasions of transgressing the divine